Big Beautiful Little Read Online Free PDF Page A

He seemed very determined to make amends.
    She slowly stepped away from the door. “Do you want to come in?”
    “Thanks.” He walked past her. She bit her lip as she shut the door and looked at him as he passed. He looked just as good from the back; his perfect physique made her feel even more imperfect. She hugged her arms around her torso, thankful for the knit blue maxi skirt, soft beige shell and oversized sweater she wore. It was the outfit she always wore when she was upset or stressed or sad. Soft clothes that enveloped her like a hug, yards of fabric that billowed and hid her. Clothes she could hide in.
    “You’re an artist.” He was looking toward the studio clearly visible off the living room.
    “Uh, yeah,” she said. “Have you ever heard of Rainbow Rabbits? ”
    “No.”
    “Of course not,” she said. “It’s a children’s book series. I do all the… all the rabbits.”
    Now he was looking at the wall above her fireplace at her collection of signed Winnie-the-Pooh lithographs.
    “You like Winnie-the-Pooh,” he said. It was a statement made without condescension, but even so she felt defensive.
    “Like I said, I’m a children’s book illustrator. I appreciate the art.” She turned to him. “Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Sawyer?”
    “Actually, yes.” He turned his attention away from the prints and back to her. “I honestly did not mean to offend you today. As a respected business owner, it really bothers me…”
    “I told you,” she said impatiently. “I’m not going to say anything.”
    “This isn’t about my being afraid of what you might say. It’s about the rules I set for myself about how I treat my customers and clients. You left my gym in a huff. I can’t allow that.”
    “You can’t… allow that?”
    “No,” he said. “The way I see it, I’m honor bound to correct my mistake. You obviously came to the gym for the same reason anyone else does. You want to get in shape.”
    She looked down. “Well, yeah. Obviously. I mean, look at me…”
    “I am looking at you.”
    She glanced up, expecting to see mockery in his gaze, but the steel-gray eyes were sweeping her form without judgment. If anything, they were almost appreciative. Tiffany flushed before continuing.
    “I’m fat. And… out of control. I thought joining a gym would help.”
    “Out of control?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
    “Well, without going into it with a total stranger, my life is kind of a wreck right now. I figured getting a handle on my health by joining a gym might help me get a handle on everything else that’s going wrong…” Her voice died away.
    Nice going, Dumbo, she told herself . Now he thinks you’re fat and crazy.
    “You don’t need a gym,” he said suddenly. “You need a personal trainer.”
    She rolled her eyes. “And let me guess. You have a great deal you’re willing to offer me if I sign up today.”
    “Yes,” he said. “You’re right, although not about the details. I’m offering you my services as a professional trainer for free, for three months.”
    “Your services?” she asked, injecting deliberate sarcasm into her words. “Why?”
    “Because I acted like a lout. Even if I meant what I said about your eyes being beautiful, the timing was terrible. I want to make it up to you. In fact, I insist.”
    She thought of Dr. Coleman sitting across from her with her notepad and Cross pen, glancing up every so often to glare over the rims of her glasses, lips pursed disapprovingly when Tiffany spoke of her insecurities, her fears, her deep desire to submit to male authority.
    You know, Tiffany, that you’re never going to move forward until you control yourself rather than look to someone else for that control, right? Replace that desire to submit with strength, even some anger.
    “I don’t think so,” she said, tilting her chin up.
    Lance Sawyer was silent as he walked over her. He stopped inches away.
    “Like I said,” he replied. “I insist.